Lake Taupo

We left the central volcanic plateau a little earlier than planned... and headed north to Taupo and it's namesake lake. It's a beautiful drive through Turangi and along the lake.

We have landed at yet another wonderful hotel... with our own balcony overlooking Lake Taupo. You can still see Mt. Ngauruhoe in the distance.


After a bit of Chinese takeaway by the lakeshore, the heated pool was a very relaxing way to spend part of the afternoon. There's a grotto... a mock cave with a spa pool... but it was just way too dark and creepy to stay in there for long. Instead, some sun by the pool was the way to go... and the fastest way to get a little bit of sunburn. (Thanks to the massive ozone hole, New Zealand has the highest ultraviolet radiation on the planet.)